Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Rides

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Sat May 1st 2010

Saturday afternoon ride from Grove - 3*	3*

Leader: Stephen Quartermain	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: 44 mile flat-ish ride covering the following route: Denchworth, Goosey, Baulking, Uffington, Shrivenham, Highworth, Coleshill, Lechlade ,Kelmscott, Clanfield, Bampton, Buckland, Charney Bassett. Tea stop at Lechlade Garden Centre. Speed likely to reasonably fast as the route is fairly flat.
Riders: Bryan Charleston Dean Douglas Derek Boutle Des Higgs Jan McCabe Janet Charleston John Tranter Maurice Bawden Neil Mowforth Nick Dunton Peter Busby Stephen Quartermain Riders = 12 Report: A good turn out for this ride especially as the weather forecast did not look too great. However there was little wind and the temperature was around 17/18 centigrade. Janet Charlestton agreed to be sweep. As the ride was relatively flat the pace picked up quite quickly and my computer said that we average around 15.4 mph for the ride. The ride went very smoothly with no punctures to report and no wrong turns etc. The hills at Coleshill and Buckland stretched everyone's legs abit. The tea stop was at Lechlade garden centre as planned and as the weather was so nice we were all able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. Around Charney Bassett their was a little rain in the air but nothing much. On the way back a few riders peeled off to return directly to their homes leaving about 4 or 5 of us to return to the finish at Grove. We arrived back at approx 4.45pm. We were very lucky though soon afterwards the rain came down!!
Distance: 74.03 km (46.00 mi)
Proposed Route: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=122873"
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Tue May 4th 2010

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Tonight's ride will be flat, giving the non-climbers a chance to come along on a 3* ride. The route will be Denchworth, Hanney, towards Kingston Bagpuize but turn right to Fyfield Wick and then on to Fyfield. The back road through Longworth and into Hinton Waldrist. Cross the A420 and then down through Pusey, into Stanford, down the lane and then past Asti Stud to Denchworth and home. Distance ~37Kms.
Riders: Amanda Seddon Angela Sanders Bryan Charleston Chris Walters David Ryan Des Higgs Geoff Neill Janet Charleston Maurice Bawden Nick Dunton Tony Smith Riders = 11 Report: A good-paced flat ride around the Vale. We had a little headwind at the start, a little tailwind at the end and we kept a pretty even but solid pace right the way through. Highlights were Maurice's shiny new Wilier bike and Janet's breakaway into Grove to try and beat the sprinters - I'm sure harmony in the Charleston household will be restored soon!
Distance: 36.60 km (22.74 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/32349421
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=125984"
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Tue May 4th 2010

10-mile club 1*	1*

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A slightly more undulating ride this week, climbing gently through Charlton to Lockinge and on to Betterton using the Grove to Wantage cyclepath and Sustrans route 44. There's a great view from the top of the hill and we'll have two long-ish descents on the way back into Ardington and then past Lains Barn. About 9 miles. All welcome, although under-18s must be accompanied or have parental consent.
Riders: Alvaro Rey Jane Bruffell Lorna Swanton Steve Swanton Susan Holdroyd Riders = 5 Report: An eventful ride. Edith's group were heading the same way this evening. But, due to a puncture sustained by Jo at the start, Edith's group became split. We caught up with the main body of riders waiting by Grove Bridge. As it was a cold evening, several of the riders chose to keep moving and continue with us as far as Betterton. So numbers swelled by Liz, Sara, John and Michael, we followed the planned route out via Charlton- nice to have you all along for a while. By the Nelson we came across a lorry straddling the road, which had managed to drive into the verge and was firmly stuck. Woops! We had to walk round to reach the track out to Lockinge. Edith and her group caught us up by Lockinge and swept past taking our extra riders with her. We turned off at the top of the hill and stopped to enjoy the view across the vale . Jane showed the fastest wheels down the hills, while Susan was strongest on the climb from Lockinge up to the Lains Barn crossroads. We also met a youngster who wanted to come along with us, having done quite a bit of track racing in the past. We provided him with a copy of the club programme and asked him to ask his parents to get in touch to provide their consent. We hope that this will happen and that we'll see him again.
Distance: 15.29 km (9.50 mi)
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Tue May 4th 2010

Tuesday Evening 2* Ride	2*

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Enjoy an easy-paced ride around the local lanes.
Riders: Andy Belcher Brian Hipwell Edith Hipwell Jo Bindloss-Gibb John Stamp Michael Tayler Michelle Smallcombe Philip Thornton-Evison Susan Holdroyd Riders = 9 Report: Grove, Wantage, Ardington, Ginge climbed the hill above the cricket ground, back through Ardington village climbed the hill up to Laines barn back down the hill and into Grove shorter than usual but with a few hills and a punture at the start of the ride that did slow us up for a while.
Distance: 17.70 km (11.00 mi)
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Sat May 8th 2010

Offroad - 1*	1*

Leader: Sorrel Williams	Start Time: 2:00 pm	Start Location: Car park at gridref SU458851 south of East Hendred
Description: Gentle introduction to offroad riding on the Ridgeway. Starting from the car park at grid reference 458851, due south of East Hendred. Bring your own refreshments and offroad bike.
Riders: Alex Walters Callum Preece Chris Walters John Tranter Richard Preece Sorrel Williams Susan Holdroyd Riders = 7 Report: A great afternoons riding, we set off in the dry with a hint of drizzle following the route below - picking up mud on the tread of our tyres as we went. The first downhill section which was swoopy, rather than scary soon had the mud flinging into our faces and Callum showing us exactly how good his skills were. When we reached the bottom of the hill (the Ilsey to Farnborough road) we turned back left to climb back up onto the Ridgeway. A fairly decent climb for a 1* ride following the mountain bike rules of 'if you have just come down a decent downhill, then there is an evil uphill around the corner.' Not mentioning a small spill from one of the group (oops, didn't mention it, I promise), we arrived back at the car park to then take another down hill towards the back of Harwell. This is a great bit of singletrack, and you have to go down a decent hill to get to it. After arriving at Harwell, we took route 44 back to Ginge where the really evil hill was waiting for us. We gathered at the bottom for courage (or putting it into English, put it off as much as possible), but everyone tackled the hill with real gusto. Considering we were slightly damp, a little cold and very muddy (therefore carrying extra weight!) everyone did really well to get to the top - in particular Alex who cycled to the top without having to get off and walk - well done, you! Depsite no-one believing me, it really was 5 minutes from the top of the hill back to the car park. I think everyone enjoyed it - it was a great introduction to the Ridgeway that didn't involve just riding along it....keep your eyes peeled for more Ridgeway rides.
Distance: 15.64 km (9.72 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/32604029
Sorrel and Susan Alex, John and Richard
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Sun May 9th 2010

Classic Oxfordshire 100km - 3*	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 8:00 am	Start Location: Harwell
Description: Local charity ride around the Vale - good chance to ride in a larger group at a solid pace. Please let Chris know if you plan to do this ride and would like to join up to ride together. http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=7816
Riders: Chris Walters David Wynn (deceased) Frank Schroer Riders = 3 Report: Starting out from Harwell at 08:00, it was chucking it down with rain, and cold to boot. Not surprisingly, the 100km route morphed into the 50km route as the will weakened. Frank reports it was much nicer when he started out at 10:00, about the time Chris finished, and it appears that David braved the elements and managed the whole thing.
Distance: 51.00 km (31.69 mi)
Proposed Route: http://www.bike-events.com/Ride.aspx?id=234"
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Tue May 11th 2010

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Another flat-ish ride to get the legs turning, and keeping up a solid pace.
Riders: Angela Sanders Bryan Charleston Chris Walters David Ryan Des Higgs Frank Schroer Geoff Neill Janet Charleston John Talbot John Tranter Maurice Bawden Nick Dunton Paul Ryan Peter Busby Riders = 14 Report: A good turnout tonight for another flat ride. We braved the A338 traffic up to Hanney before following the prescribed route - setting a good pace which stayed with us throughout as we headed up to Abingdon and then across to Tubney and back via Fyfield and Denchworth. A few incidents of note, firstly the left-hand-drive lady who went around the mini-roundabout for 360 degrees without signalling - Nick managed to pull off a burst of speed to save his bacon, and Bryan had a cat shoot out in front of him in Denchworth - the cat may have nine lives but Bryan is less fortunate! Seriously though, with the number of potholes that we're seeing after our harsh winter, it's really important that we're riding in large groups under control and with due regard for our fellow club members - please make sure the calls and signals are relayed all the way up and down the group as it's only a matter of time before we have an avoidable accident!
Distance: 36.80 km (22.87 mi)	Ride Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/33059768
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=125915"
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Tue May 11th 2010

10-mile club	1*

Leader: Lorna Swanton	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: A flat ride into the Vale this week. We'll cycle out to Charney Bassett and return via Lyford. 9.5 miles
Riders: Alvaro Rey Lorna Swanton Steve Bruffell Riders = 3 Report: It was freezing cold at the start, but the sun came out and it turned into a lovely evening. We stopped for a chat in the sunshine on the green at Charney Bassett, and decided, as we were enjoying the ride so much, to extend it by a couple of miles and return via West Hanney.
Distance: 19.31 km (12.00 mi)
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Tue May 11th 2010

Tuesday Evening 2* Ride	2*

Leader: Edith Hipwell	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Enjoy an easy-paced ride around the local lanes.
Riders: Andy Belcher Brian Hipwell Edith Hipwell Henk Altmann (deceased) Jo Bindloss-Gibb John Stamp Michael Tayler Michelle Smallcombe Philip Thornton-Evison Sara Smith Riders = 10 Report: Another fine dry evening with ten cyclists heading out through Denchworth turning left following the road out over the railway bridge to the Faringdon road, right turn, left turn towards Childrey, right turn to sparshot, right turn to kingston Lisle out through the village down common hill where an accounter with a horse fiskey horse that was trying to lose his rider slowed us down for a while . We then managed squeeseby and continue our ride back to Goosey ,Astistud , Denchworth and back to Grove 17.5 miles at an average of 13 miles and hour.
Distance: 28.16 km (17.50 mi)
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Sat May 15th 2010

Maintenance Training

Leader: Chris Walters	Start Time: 1:00 pm	Start Location: Grove area
Description: An afternoon of learning the basics of bike maintenance - no experience necessary. Please let Chris Walters know ASAP if you wish to come along - places are limited. The location will be given out to those who book.
Riders: Chris Walters John Tranter Phil Cox Riders = 3 Report: A pleasant afternoon in the sun sorting bikes out. Welcome to Phil - hope we'll see you on a ride soon. No - I really mean that - if you're brave enough to let us strip your rear hub and re-pack it, I really would like to see if it lasts long enough to come on a ride with us We were joined by John's visiting sister, Louise, who was a CTC member "way back" - since then we've had bikes with more than 5 gears, a-head systems, outboard bottom brackets, and all sorts of other wonderful inventions. It was a shame we didn't have a few more members along, judging by the rattles, squeaks and graunches we often hear on club rides!
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Sun May 16th 2010

Regular Wantage Ride - 3*	3*

Leader: Glen Savegar	Start Time: 9:30 am	Start Location: WMP
Description: 80-100km all-day touring ride, riding pace 18-22km/h (11-14mph). This months ride will head to Lechlade for lunch. Route outline will be- Wantage, Letcombe Regis, Letcombe Bassett, Childrey, Sparsholt, Kingston Lisle, Uffington, Watchfield, Coleshill, Lechlade (Lunch), Langford, Kencot, Alvescot, Black Bourton, Bampton, Aston (optional tea stop,we can decide on the day!), Buckland, Gainfield, Charney Bassett, Denchworth, West Challow, Wantage. Approx 50 miles (81 km)
Riders: Derek Boutle Des Higgs Ginny Henderson Glen Savegar Steve Swanton Steven Rogers Riders = 6 Report: A really enjoyable day on the bike with excellent company, and amazingly we kept completely dry !
Distance: 80.47 km (50.00 mi)
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Tue May 18th 2010

Tuesday Evening 3* Ride	3*

Leader: Bryan Charleston	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: If enough people are keen we will be doing the 3* three peaks challenge. We will have to leave promptly and keep the pace up to return at a sensible time. The route should allow a short cut back to OMH if we run out of time.
Riders: Bryan Charleston Des Higgs Frank Schroer Janet Charleston John Talbot Sorrel Williams Tony Smith Riders = 7 Report: A wonderful evening, warm and still, that seemed to go according to plan. We started on time and made brisk progress through the Letcombes and up hackpen hill. A long descent to the outskirts of Lambourn followed by a steady climb up to the top of blowing stone hill, with the resulting steep descent. A short ride to White Horse hill for a climb and brief rest to admire the view. Everyone seemed to be coping easily with the ride and the trip home across the flat was covered very quickly. We were back in daylight before 8.30, taking just 1 hour 47 minutes, a moving average of 15.5 mph. Sorrel is now planning a four peak challenge. We were fortunate to have two guests join us for the evening, Roger and Kevin, let's hope they ride with us again
Distance: 44.56 km (27.69 mi)
Proposed Route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=128336"
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Written by : John Talbot

Posted on : May 18, 2010 at 11:28 PM

Great ride! I had reservations about tackling Dragon Hill on my road bike beforehand, but like most cycling the fear of what lies ahead is always worse than the actuality!

Great speedy whizz back to Grove through the Vale after the hills were done :)

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